The Last Movie You Watched

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Moneyball (2011) https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/prem...ntent-510k

I have been playing stratomatic baseball since high school. I learned then that getting on base and preventing on base are the keys to baseball success. Fielding, batting average, slugging, running, all are secondary attributes. Moneyball is based on a book by Michael Lewis that outed the Bill James statistical revolution. It focuses on the lowly Oakland Athletics under General Manager Billy Bean. Oakland's player budget is among the lowest in the big leagues. The players have to pay for soft drinks in the clubhouse. During a visit with the Cleveland Indians' Mark Shapiro, Bean notices that Shapiro listened to a pudgy Yale economist when it came to player evaluation. Bean hires the kid away and implements statistical analysis in Oakland, much to the dismay of the old guard baseball men who evaluate "tools" rather than results. Brad Pitt plays Bean and seems to be eating something in every scene. The bits of family drama don't really fit in this romantic baseball tale.

The actors portraying MLB players did a fine job. It's not easy to duplicate the throwing motions, swings, and subtleties of the athletes. The film also shows the business of baseball. There's a scene where Peter (Jonah Hill) has to practice firing Billy. Peter's attempt is ham fisted. "These are professional ballplayers. Give it to them straight. Pete, we gotta let you go. This is the number of our traveling secretary and he'll make sure you're taken care of. Just like that. Would you rather a bullet to the head or 5 to the chest?"

I use this example with my managers to illustrate how to dismiss someone. "Pete, we're separating you from the company today. Laura from HR has some important information for you." And that's it.

It's a baseball movie, so not for everyone, but it's charming and well acted.

My baseball movie is The Field of Dreams.  Though it really isn't about baseball when you get down to it.  It was filmed right outside of my hometown so there is always some nostalgia for me.

My son played baseball from about the age of 7 thru high school and was pretty good till he blew out both knees playing football.  It was sitting in those stands where I learned the more subtle aspects of the game.  Before the second knee injury, my son was an at will base runner and he was damn good at stealing bases, as well as hitting fast balls that were a bit low and near the outside.  I learned about the open stance as that was his preferred.  Those were fun days.

(bold mine)

Mine is The Natural. I sometimes find it odd that I enjoy baseball movies much more than I enjoy actual baseball.

Boru